Albany NY vs San Antonio TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
San Antonio
34.6
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
San Antonio
14.3%
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.6 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 14.3% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 48.3% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 7.0% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 3.1% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
San Antonio
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Albany, NY | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $32,983 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,758 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.8% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 28.7% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Albany, NY | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 52.4% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Albany, NY | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 442 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2339 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
San Antonio
13.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 34.9% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.2% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 24.5% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.0% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 13.0% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Albany, NY | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 68.5°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 26.5 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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